Inklingo

cambiarlo

kahm-BYAHR-loh/kamˈbjaɾlo/

to change it

Also: to modify it
VerbA2regular with attached pronoun ar
A white car being painted bright blue with a paintbrush.
infinitivecambiarlo
past Participlecambiado
gerundcambiándolo

📝 In Action

El plan no es bueno, tenemos que cambiarlo.

A2

The plan is not good, we have to change it.

Si no te gusta el color, puedes cambiarlo fácilmente.

A2

If you don't like the color, you can change it easily.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • modificarlo (to modify it)
  • alterarlo (to alter it)

Antonyms

  • mantenerlo (to keep it / maintain it)
  • conservarlo (to preserve it)

Common Collocations

  • querer cambiarloto want to change it
  • necesito cambiarloI need to change it
  • decidir cambiarloto decide to change it

to exchange it

Also: to swap it
VerbA2regular with attached pronoun ar
A person handing a red t-shirt over a counter and receiving a blue t-shirt in return.

📝 In Action

Este pantalón es pequeño, voy a la tienda a cambiarlo.

A2

These pants are small, I'm going to the store to exchange them (it).

¿Puedes cambiarlo por uno que funcione?

A2

Can you exchange it for one that works?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • canjearlo (to redeem/exchange it)

Common Collocations

  • cambiarlo por otroto exchange it for another
  • ticket para cambiarloreceipt to exchange it

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

yolo cambie
nosotroslo cambiemos
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo cambien
lo cambies
vosotroslo cambiéis
él/ella/ustedlo cambie

imperfect

yolo cambiara
nosotroslo cambiáramos
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo cambiaran
lo cambiaras
vosotroslo cambiarais
él/ella/ustedlo cambiara

indicative

present

yolo cambio
nosotroslo cambiamos
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo cambian
lo cambias
vosotroslo cambiáis
él/ella/ustedlo cambia

imperfect

yolo cambiaba
nosotroslo cambiábamos
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo cambiaban
lo cambiabas
vosotroslo cambiabais
él/ella/ustedlo cambiaba

preterite

yolo cambié
nosotroslo cambiamos
ellos/ellas/ustedeslo cambiaron
lo cambiaste
vosotroslo cambiasteis
él/ella/ustedlo cambió

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cambiarlo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'cambiarlo' to mean 'I want to change it'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
darloamarlobuscarlo
📚 Etymology

A combination of the Spanish verb 'cambiar' (from Late Latin 'cambiare', meaning to barter or exchange) and the pronoun 'lo' (from Latin 'illum', meaning that/him).

First recorded: 13th century (root verb)

Cognates (Related words)

French: changerItalian: cambiare

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use 'cambiarla' instead of 'cambiarlo'?

Use 'cambiarla' if the object you are changing is a feminine noun (usually ends in -a), like 'la silla' (the chair) or 'la idea' (the idea).

Does 'cambiarlo' always mean 'it'?

Usually yes, but it can also mean 'to change him' if you are referring to a male person, though this is less common than using it for objects.